towing CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2020 User Guide

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
Driving and Operating 217
Warning (Continued)
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or aftermarket
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle: . Drive it only with the
windows completely down.
. Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
See Shifting Into Park 0213 and
Engine Exhaust 0216.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0283.
Automatic
Transmission
If equipped, there is an electronic
shift lever position indicator within
the instrument cluster. This display
comes on when the ignition is in
ACC/ACCESSORY, on or
service mode.
There are several different positions
for the shift lever.
See Driver Mode Control 0234 and
“Range Selection Mode” under
Manual Mode 0220.
P : This position locks the rear
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the engine because the vehicle
cannot move easily.
When parked on a hill, especially
when the vehicle has a heavy load,
you might notice an increase in the

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
218 Driving and Operating
effort to shift out of P (Park). See
“Torque Lock”underShifting Into
Park 0213.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0213 and
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0283.
{Warning
If equipped with four-wheel drive,
the vehicle will be free to roll if the
transfer case is in N (Neutral),
even when the shift lever is in
P (Park). You or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be
sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear —2
m, 4m, or 4n—or set the
parking brake before placing the
transfer case in N (Neutral). See
Four-Wheel Drive 0223.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped. To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see
If
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0196.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Also, use N (Neutral) when the
vehicle is being towed.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
Driving and Operating 219
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
Caution
A transmission or engine oil hot
message may display if the
automatic transmission fluid or
engine oil is too hot. Driving
under this condition can damage
the vehicle. Stop and idle the
engine to cool the engine oil or
automatic transmission fluid.
These messages will clear when
the engine oil or transmission
fluid has cooled sufficiently.D :
This position is for normal
driving. It provides the best fuel
economy. If more power is needed
for passing, press the accelerator
pedal down.
. When going less than about
55 km/h (35 mph), push the
accelerator pedal about
halfway down.
. When going about 55 km/h
(35 mph) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts
down to the next gear and has
more power.
Use D (Drive) and Tow/Haul Mode
when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills,
or driving off-road. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”under
Loss of Control 0187. The vehicle has a shift stabilization
feature that adjusts the transmission
shifting to the current driving
conditions in order to reduce rapid
upshifts and downshifts. This shift
stabilization feature is designed to
determine, before making an
upshift, if the engine is able to
maintain vehicle speed by analyzing
things such as vehicle speed,
throttle position, and vehicle load.
If the shift stabilization feature
determines that a current vehicle
speed cannot be maintained, the
transmission does not upshift and
instead holds the current gear.
In some cases, this could appear to
be a delayed shift, however the
transmission is operating normally.
If the engine or transmission detects
an impending hot fluid condition, the
transmission may upshift to limit
temperatures. Downshifts may also
be prevented. Normal operation
may continue unless the display
indicates there is a hot condition
and engine should be idled.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
220 Driving and Operating
The transmission uses adaptive
shift controls. The adaptive shift
control process continually
compares key shift parameters to
pre-programmed ideal shifts stored
in the transmission’s computer. The
transmission constantly makes
adjustments to improve vehicle
performance according to how the
vehicle is being used, such as with
a heavy load or when the
temperature changes. During this
adaptive shift control process,
shifting might feel different as the
transmission determines the best
settings.
When temperatures are very cold,
the transmission's gear shifting
could be delayed providing more
stable shifts until the engine warms
up. Shifts could be more noticeable
with a cold transmission. This
difference in shifting is normal.
If equipped with the 2.7L L4 engine,
engine speeds may be increased
while driving at highway speeds
while the engine is still warming up.L :
This position allows selection of
a range of gears appropriate for
current driving conditions.
If equipped, see “Range Selection
Mode” underManual Mode 0220.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If the vehicle
is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in
place.
Manual Mode
Range Selection Mode
Range Selection Mode helps control
the vehicle's transmission and
vehicle speed while driving downhill
or towing a trailer by letting you
select a desired range of gears.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to L (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus buttons on the shift lever to select the
desired range of gears for
current driving conditions.
When the shift lever is moved from
D (Drive) to L (Manual Mode), a
number displays next to the L,
indicating the current transmission
range.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
Driving and Operating 223
Tow/Haul Mode
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce
shift cycling. This provides
increased performance, vehicle
control, and enhanced transmission
and engine cooling when driving
down steep hills or mountain
grades, when towing, or when
hauling heavy loads. SeeDriver
Mode Control 0234 to activate Tow/
Haul Mode.
For vehicles without Driver Mode
Control, press the Tow/Haul button
on the center stack. If equipped, the Stop/Start system
will become unavailable when Tow/
Haul Mode is active.
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking is
only enabled while the Tow/Haul
Mode is selected and the vehicle is
not in the Range Selection Mode.
See
Manual Mode 0220. Tow/Haul
Mode Grade Braking assists in
maintaining desired vehicle speeds
when driving on downhill grades by
using the engine and transmission
to slow the vehicle.
See Towing Equipment 0292.
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive
engages the front axle for extra
traction.
Read the appropriate section for
transfer case operation before
using.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry
pavement in 4
mand 4n(if
equipped) for an extended period
of time. These conditions may
cause premature wear on the
vehicle’s powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in
4
mor 4nmay:
. Cause a vibration to be felt in
the steering system.
. Cause tires to wear faster.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
224 Driving and Operating
{Warning
If equipped with four-wheel drive,
the vehicle will be free to roll if the
transfer case is in N (Neutral),
even when the shift lever is in
P (Park). You or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be
sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear—2
m, 4m, or 4n—or set the
parking brake before placing the
transfer case in N (Neutral). See
Shifting Into Park 0213.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in
4
nmay damage or shorten the
life of the drivetrain.
An engagement noise and bump is
normal when shifting between 4
n
and 4mor N (Neutral), with the
engine running. Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0231.
Automatic Transfer Case
Two-Speed Transfer Case
If equipped, the transfer case
controls are used to shift into and
out of four-wheel drive.
To shift the transfer case, press the
desired button. The graphic in the
instrument cluster will flash while a shift is in progress. The graphic
displayed will change to indicate the
setting requested.
When the shift is complete the
graphic will stop flashing. The DIC
message turns off once the shift is
complete. If the transfer case
cannot complete a shift request, it
will go back to its last chosen
setting.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) :
Use only when the
vehicle needs to be towed. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0420
or
Towing the Vehicle 0419.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use
for driving on most streets and
highways. The front axle is not
engaged. This setting provides the
best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive) : Use when road surface
conditions are variable. When
driving in AUTO, the front axle is
engaged, and the vehicle's power is
sent to the front and rear wheels

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
236 Driving and Operating
inputs. This feature is not intended
for use when the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, ice, snow, or gravel.
If the vehicle becomes stuck, seeIf
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0196.
Snow/Ice Mode is only available on
two-wheel-drive vehicles. When
selected, the Snow/Ice Mode light
displays in the instrument cluster.
7Off-Road Mode : Use to
improve driving at moderate speeds,
on grass, gravel, dirt, unpaved
roads, or snow-covered roads that
have not been groomed or plowed.
The accelerator pedal will be more
sensitive to provide finer control of
the torque at the wheels.
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), and the Traction
Control System (TCS) will change
for optimal off-road performance.
Use this mode for public off-road
recreational driving. See Off-Road
Driving 0188.
When selected, the Off-Road Mode
indicator light displays in the
instrument cluster.
_Tow/Haul Mode : This feature
assists when pulling a heavy trailer
or a heavy load. See Tow/Haul
Mode 0223.
Tow/Haul Mode is designed to be
most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle’s Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing 0288.
Tow/Haul Mode is most useful when
pulling a heavy trailer or a heavy
load under the following conditions:
. Through rolling terrain
. In stop-and-go traffic
. In busy parking lots where
improved low speed control of
the vehicle is desired
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
Mode when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to
selecting Tow/Haul Mode when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may result
in unpleasant engine and transmission driving characteristics,
heavy or light steering, and reduced
fuel economy.
When selected, the Tow/Haul Mode
light will display in the instrument
cluster.
If the vehicle is turned off with Tow/
Haul Mode active and then restarted
within four hours or less, Tow/Haul
will remain active. Otherwise the
vehicle will start in Normal Mode.
gTerrain Mode :
Use for finer
control during low speed, off-road
driving. When using this mode it will
mimic the characteristics of
four-wheel-drive low (4
n) without
the torque capabilities.
Use when:
. Traveling on very rough roads at
very low speeds, such as a
two-track or heavily rutted road.
. Traveling slowly in grassy fields.
. Pulling a boat out of the water
on a trailer.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
Driving and Operating 243
Warning (Continued)
.On slippery roads where
fast changes in tire traction
can cause excessive
wheel slip
. With extremely heavy cargo
loaded in the cargo area or
rear seat
. When towing a trailer
J:Press to turn the system on or
off. The indicator turns white on the
instrument cluster when ACC is
turned on.
RES+ : Press briefly to resume the
previous set speed or to increase
vehicle speed if ACC is already
activated. To increase speed by
about 1 km/h (1 mph), press RES+
briefly. To increase speed to the
next 5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer, hold RES+.
SET– :Press briefly to set the
speed and activate ACC or to
decrease vehicle speed if ACC is
already activated. To decrease
speed by about 1 km/h (1 mph),
press SET– briefly. To decrease
speed to the next 5 km/h (5 mph)
mark on the speedometer,
hold SET–.
*: Press to disengage ACC
without erasing the selected set
speed.
[: Press to select a following gap
setting for ACC of Far, Medium,
or Near. The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See
Instrument Cluster 0124.
The increment value used depends
on the units displayed.
Switching Between ACC and
Regular Cruise Control
To switch between ACC and regular
cruise control, press and hold
*.
A Driver Information Display (DIC)
message displays. See Vehicle
Messages 0152.
ACC IndicatorRegular Cruise
Control Indicator
When ACC is engaged, a green
o
indicator will be lit on the instrument
cluster and the following gap will be
displayed. When the regular cruise
control is engaged, a green
J
indicator will be lit on the instrument
cluster; the following gap will not
display.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
250 Driving and Operating
ACC may occasionally provide an
alert and/or braking that is
considered unnecessary. It could
respond to vehicles in different
lanes or stationary objects when
entering or exiting a curve. This is
normal operation. The vehicle does
not need service.
Other Vehicle Lane Changes
ACC will not detect a vehicle ahead
until it is completely in the lane. The
brakes may need to be manually
applied.Objects Not Directly in Front of
Your Vehicle
The detection of objects in front of
the vehicle may not be possible if:
.
The vehicle or object ahead is
not within your lane.
. The vehicle ahead is shifted, not
centered, or is shifted to one
side of the lane.
Driving in Narrow Lanes
Vehicles in adjacent traffic lanes or
roadside objects may be incorrectly
detected when located along the
roadway.
Do Not Use ACC on Hills and
When Towing a Trailer
Do not use ACC when driving on
steep hills or when towing a trailer.
ACC will not detect a vehicle in the
lane while driving on steep hills.
If the brakes are applied, ACC
disengages.
Disengaging ACC
There are three ways to
disengage ACC:
. Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
*.
. Press
J.
Erasing Speed Memory
The ACC set speed is erased from
memory if
Jis pressed or if the
ignition is turned off.
Weather Conditions Affecting ACC
If the interior temperature is
extremely high, the instrument
cluster may indicate that ACC is
temporarily unavailable. This can be
caused by extreme hot weather
conditions with direct sunlight on the

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
260 Driving and Operating
view is active. Each
press of the button will
toggle through the Rear
Trailer View, Trailer Tow
mirror View and Combo
View. To access this
view when in a forward
gear above 12 km/h
(8 mph), touch
CAMERA on the
infotainment display and
touch the Rear Trailer
View/Rear Side View
with Available
Articulation
Functionality/
Picture-in-Picture Side
View icon. Touch X
to exit.
HD Surround Vision with Trailer
Camera Provisions
If equipped, this feature provides
additional views to aid in trailering/
towing. The system shows multiple
views in the infotainment display
using five cameras mounted around
the vehicle and up to two additional
accessory cameras that can be
mounted on or in a trailer. The front camera is in the grille under the
front emblem, the side cameras are
on the bottom of the outside mirrors,
the rear camera is in the tailgate
handle and the bed camera is
mounted on the rear of the cab.
Additionally, up to two accessory
cameras can be mounted to the rear
and/or interior of the trailer. See
your dealer for accessory trailer
cameras. To access, touch
CAMERA on the infotainment
display or shift to R (Reverse). To
return to the previous screen when
not in reverse, touch the Home or
Back buttons on the infotainment
display.
Available camera views:
.
Front/Rear Standard View
. Front/Rear Top-Down View
. Rear Bowl View
. Front/Rear Side View
. Hitch View
. Bed View
. Rear trailer View .
Rear Side view with a available
articulation functionality
. Picture-in-Picture Side View
. Interior Trailer View
. Transparent trailer View
. Surround View
. Guidance Lines
. Hitch Guidance
Surround Vision (360 Degrees)
If equipped, the Surround Vision
system can display various views
surrounding the vehicle in the
infotainment display using four
cameras mounted around the
vehicle. The front camera is in the
grille under the front emblem, the
side cameras are on the bottom of
the outside mirrors, and the rear
camera is in the tailgate handle.
The Surround Vision system can be
accessed by selecting CAMERA in
the infotainment display or when the
vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse).
To return to the previous screen
sooner, when not in R (Reverse),
press the Home or Back button on